Canada has dominated the Hlinka Gretzky Cup over the years and the 2025 roster looks to have similar expectations on it. Led by a cast of top-end prospects for the 2026 and 2027 NHL Drafts, Canada’s U18 team will head to Czechia for one of the big preseason evaluation events attended by one of the largest collections of NHL scouts and execs in any one event.

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Canada will bring a roster of 25 players with them including three goalies, eight defensemen and 14 forwards.

Among the notable players invited to play for Canada is WHL exceptional status defenseman and both the CHL and WHL Rookie of the Year Landon DuPont. The Everett Silvertips blueliner is the early favorite to go No. 1 in the 2027 NHL Draft and will be Team Canada’s youngest player at the event. He also probably will have the most eyes on him with his electric offensive game.

Also on the roster will be several players expected to go very early in the 2026 NHL Draft including incoming North Dakota freshman and former Victoria Royals blueliner Keaton Verhoeff, who checked in at No. 2 on our way-too-early top 10. He will likely be the youngest player in the NCAA this season after deciding to enroll in school a year early. At 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, he's hard to miss.

Tynan Lawrence, who was listed at No. 6 on FloHockey’s too-early Top 10 for 2026, is among the top forwards for Canada. He is coming off of a standout performance in the USHL’s Clark Cup Playoffs, where he finished as the top scorer and MVP. He will be joined on Team Canada with USHL alumni Adam Valentini and Callum Croskery, both formerly of the Chicago Steel. Lawrence is expected to be back with the Lumberjacks next season.

Also from FloHockey’s Way Too Early Top 10, No. 5 Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires), No. 7 Mathis Preston (Spokane Chiefs), No. 9 Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants), plus honorable mentions Daxon Rudolph (Prince Alber Raiders), Valentini (Chicago Steel/Kitchener Rangers) and Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars).

Canada will open the tournament August 11 against Finland.

Team Canada Hlinka Gretzky Cup Roster 2025

Forwards

• Tynan Lawrence, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
• Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
• Mathis Preston, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
• Cooper Williams, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
• Ethan Belchetz, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
• Allessandro Di Iorio, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
• Beckham Edwards, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
• Adam Valentini, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
• Pierce Mbuyi, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
• Jean-Christoph Lemieux, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
• Dimian Zhilkin, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
• Markus Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
• Colin Fitzgerald, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
• Thomas Rousseau, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

Defense

• Cameron Chartrand, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
• Keaton Verhoeff, University of North Dakota (NCHC)
• Ryan Lin, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
• Carson Carels, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
• Giorgios Pantelas, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
• Callum Croskery, Soo Greyhounds (WHL)
• Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
• Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Goalies

• Jason Schaubel, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
• Carter Esler, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
• Gavin Betts, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

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